Colleges Claim Fee Freeze Order Hurts Students, HC to Deliver Verdict

Hyderabad: A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court reserved its verdict in a batch of writ appeals filed by private unaided professional colleges challenging the refusal of interim relief by a single judge in their pending writ pleas against GO dated June 30, 2025. The panel of Justice P. Sam Koshy and Justice Narsing Rao Nandikonda on Thursday heard appeals filed by several educational institutions and societies running engineering, pharmacy, and MBA colleges. The appellants contended that the impugned order which continued the fee structure of the 2022-2025 block period for the academic year 2025-2026, was issued despite the Telangana Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee (TAFRC) having completed the process of revising fees for the new block period 2025–2028. It was argued that after detailed scrutiny of proposals and personal hearings conducted in March 2025, revised fee particulars were recorded in registers signed by all the appellant institutions. The appellants argued that once such statutory process concluded, TAFRC could not unilaterally revisit the matter or recommend continuation of the old fee without fresh hearings. The appeals challenged the single judge’s finding that the register entries were only tentative and that the fee fixation process was incomplete. The appellants submitted that the single judge failed to appreciate the statutory role of TAFRC under Rule 4 of the 2006 Rules and that GO Ms No 26 was issued without jurisdiction, contrary to binding judgments of the Supreme Court in T.M.A. Pai, Islamic Academy, and P.A. Inamdar. It was further argued that the impugned GO and the deferment of fee revision caused serious prejudice to institutions and students, particularly as classes had already commenced, and that continuing the earlier fee structure without fresh determination violated the principles of natural justice and the statutory mandate. After hearing both sides, the panel reserved orders in the appeals.

HC admits plea against school, mosque in Malakpet

Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court took on file a writ petition challenging the illegal, unauthorised, and hazardous operation of a private school and a mosque in the densely populated residential area of Akber Bagh, Malakpet, Hyderabad. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Mohd Dawood, who raised concerns over the inaction of public authorities, particularly the GHMC and the zonal commissioner even after a detailed representation submitted in May 2024. According to the petitioner, several buildings in the locality are being misused for activities in violation of civic and educational norms. The primary grievance relates to the operation of a private educational institution Ocean - the ABM School which runs classes from primary to Class X without any building permission, occupancy certificate, or compliance with the norms prescribed under the relevant government order regulating school infrastructure and safety in Telangana. The petitioner contended that the area is strictly residential and that the school’s functioning results in severe traffic congestion, chaotic parking, and nuisance during school entry and dispersal hours. The petitioner also raised serious objections to the alleged illegal establishment and functioning of a mosque, Masjid-e-Taqiuddin, within the school premises. The petitioner contended that the mosque operates without official permission or recognition and that the unofficial respondents have been collecting substantial donations and charity from the public in its name, raising concerns of financial irregularity and public misrepresentation. The petitioner further argued that the ongoing activities breach the provisions of the GHMC Act, relevant building rules, and the principles of natural justice. The respondents sought time to get instructions. Accordingly, the judge posted the matter for further hearing on July 30.

Paddy diversion case: Cops told to follow BNSS safeguards

Justice N. Tukaramji of the Telangana High Court disposed of a criminal petition filed by a rice mill partner accused in a large-scale paddy misappropriation case, directing the police to follow the mandatory procedural safeguards under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) before proceeding further against him. The judge was dealing with a criminal petition, filed by Gudala Narender, seeking quashing of the proceedings registered against him by Gowraram Police Station, Siddipet district. The petitioner, arrayed as an accused, is a partner of M/s Sri Sai Baba Binny Modern Rice Mill and stands accused of misappropriating paddy stock to the tune of 7043.70 quintals, allegedly supplied by the Telangana State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (TGSCSCL) under the Custom Milling Rice scheme for Rabi Marketing Season 2022–23. According to the prosecution, a vigilance inspection conducted on February 6, 2025, uncovered serious stock discrepancies, prompting the police to register the case under Sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Essential Commodities Act. Counsel for the petitioner argued that the paddy was in joint custody of both the petitioner and the Civil Supplies Corporation as per their agreement, and the alleged shortfall may be due to natural decay or improper storage. He also pointed out that the agreement provided for arbitration, which the authorities bypassed by directly initiating criminal proceedings. The petitioner expressed willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation. On the other hand, the Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) contended that the case involved clear misappropriation and significant financial loss to the state. The APP argued that millers in similar cases evaded cooperation, making investigation difficult, and cited other decisions where similar petitions were dismissed. He, however, requested that if the judge were inclined to grant any relief, the petitioner be directed to deposit a substantial sum towards the alleged loss. After examining the material on record, the judge observed that the allegations are serious in nature and the judge declined to quash the proceedings. Instead, the judge directed the investigating agency to issue notice under the BNSS, 2023 and to strictly adhere to the procedural safeguards.

Plea in HC for CCTVs at ginning mills

Justice T. Madhavi Devi of the Telangana High Court took on file a writ plea seeking mandatory installation of government-funded CCTV systems with analytics at ginning mills notified as APMC yards across Telangana. The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by G. Sai Aditya, who contended that despite the existence of statutory and policy mandates, the authorities have failed to implement video surveillance measures at notified private ginning mills, which function as regulated markets under the Telangana Agricultural Produce and Livestock Markets Act. The petitioner contended that such inaction is in violation of the Telangana Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act, Central Vigilance Commission Guidelines, and fundamental rights under the Constitution. The petitioner further argued that the installation of CCTV systems integrated with analytics is critical for ensuring transparency and public safety, and that funding for the same is already available through the 1 per cent Market Cess Fund. Counsel for the petitioner pointed out that the issue has also been subject of judicial consideration in another writ plea, and that the authorities are bound to act in compliance with applicable laws and directions. Justice Madhavi Devi directed the respondent authorities to file their response and posted the matter for further hearing.